Fractal dimension and size scaling of domains in thin films of multiferroic BiFeO3

Abstract

We have analyzed the morphology of ferroelectric domains in very thin films of multiferroic BiFeO3. Unlike the more common stripe domains observed in thicker films BiFeO3 or in other ferroics, the domains tend not to be straight, but irregular in shape, with significant domain wall roughening leading to a fractal dimensionality. Also contrary to what is usually observed in other ferroics, the domain size appears not to scale as the square root of the film thickness. A model is proposed in which the observed domain size as a function of film thickness can be directly linked to the fractal dimension of the domains.

4 pages, 3 figures

References in corpus (4)

• Structural distortion and magnetism of BiFeO3 epitaxial thin films: a Raman spectroscopy and neutron diffraction study
• Domain enhanced interlayer coupling in ferroelectric/paraelectric superlattices
• Tunnel magnetoresistance and robust room temperature exchange bias with multiferroic BiFeO3 epitaxial thin films
• Universality of the Scaling Law for Ferroic Domains

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Nonlinear Dynamics of Domain Wall Propagation in Epitaxial Ferroelectric Thin Films
• Dynamics of Multiferroic Domain Wall in Spin-Cycloidal Ferroelectric DyMnO${}_3$
• Probing the role of single defects on the thermodynamics of electric-field induced phase transitions
• Origin of Ferroelastic Domains in Free-Standing Single Crystal Ferroelectric Films
• Local Polarization Switching in the Presence of Surface Charged Defects: Microscopic Mechanisms and Piezoresponse Force Spectroscopy Observations